Selective first delivery attempt (fda) processing for text messages

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are disclosed for selectively applying First Delivery Attempt (FDA) processing for text messages. A text message system in one embodiment includes a rules database that stores rules defining which text messages are authorized to be delivered using FDA processing. The text message system further includes a message processor that initially receives a text message, and determines whether to selectively apply FDA processing for a time period due to an occurrence of a triggering event. If selective FDA processing applies, then the message processor processes the rules in the rules database to determine whether the text message is authorized for FDA processing during the time period of selective FDA processing. If authorized, then the message processor forwards the text message to an FDA system for FDA processing. If not authorized, then the message processor forwards the text message to a store-and-forward system for store-and-forward processing.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/484,672 filed on Jun. 15, 2009, which isincorporated herein by reference as if fully provided herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is related to the field of communications and, inparticular, to delivery of text messages.

2. Statement of the Problem

In many mobile networks, text messaging has become a very popular modeof communication. Short Message Service (SMS) is a communicationprotocol allowing the exchange of short text messages (i.e., 160characters) between mobile devices. Often times, mobile users morefrequently use text messaging for communication than voice calls.

Text messages are transmitted over signaling channels of a mobilenetwork, such as over SS7 channels. An SMS Center (SMSC) in the mobilenetwork has a store-and-forward system for delivering text messages totheir destinations over the signaling channels. Upon initially receivinga text message, the store-and-forward system first stores (persistently)the text message, and then initiates a delivery attempt for the textmessage. If the delivery attempt is unsuccessful, then thestore-and-forward system retries delivery after a time period (e.g., 10minutes, 30 minutes, etc). The store-and-forward system will retrydelivery a predefined number of times before the text message isdiscarded.

The following illustrates an example of delivering a text message froman originating mobile device to a destination mobile device in a UMTSnetwork. To start, a sender originates the text message through theoriginating mobile device, and the originating mobile device sends thetext message to an SMSC. A store-and-forward system in the SMSC receivesand stores the text message. The store-and-forward system then queries aHome Location Register (HLR) to identify routing information for thetext message. The HLR responds to the query with the routinginformation, and the store-and-forward system then attempts to forwardthe text message to the destination mobile device based on the routinginformation. If the first delivery attempt is unsuccessful, then thestore-and-forward system retries delivery after a time period. Thestore-and-forward system will retry delivery a predefined number oftimes before the text message is discarded.

The store-and-forward approach to text messaging drives up the cost ofthe SMSC due to the expensive storage subsystems used for storing thetext messages before delivery. As the volume of text messages increasesin mobile networks, the unit price per text message drops significantly.Thus, profit margins for text messaging have become lower for thenetwork operators. To reduce costs and increase network capability fordelivering text messages, some network operators no longer use onlystore-and-forward processing. Instead, many network operators offer analternative approach, which is referred to as First Delivery Attempt(FDA) processing. With FDA processing, delivery of a text message to thedestination is attempted before it is stored. If delivery fails, thenthe text message is stored, and normal store-and-forward processingoccurs.

The following illustrates an example of FDA processing used to deliver atext message in a UMTS network. The sender originates the text messagethrough an originating mobile device, and the originating mobile devicesends the text message to an FDA system. The FDA system initiallyreceives the text message, and queries the HLR to identify routinginformation for the text message. The HLR responds to the query with therouting information, and the FDA system then attempts to forward thetext message to the destination mobile device based on the routinginformation, without first persistently storing the text message inmemory. If the FDA system determines that delivery of the text messagefailed, then the FDA system routes the text message to the SMSC. Thestore-and-forward system in the SMSC then stores the text message, andattempts delivery of the text message according to store-and-forwardprocessing.

One problem encountered by network operators is that FDA processing maycause congestion in a mobile network in times of high traffic volume.The message queues in the FDA system are small, so when traffic volumeis high the text messages may get delayed in the FDA system. Thisnetwork congestion may result in failed delivery of text messages andlost revenue for the network operator.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein are able to selectively apply FDAprocessing of text message. In some instances, FDA processing may beused to deliver text messages, while in other instances FDA processingmay be temporarily interrupted for a time period for some or all textmessages in favor of store-and-forward processing. Thus, not all textmessages are automatically forwarded first using FDA processing. Oneadvantage of selectively applying FDA processing in a mobile network isthat FDA processing may be replaced or supplemented by store-and-forwardprocessing during periods, such as peak traffic intervals, high traffictimes, special traffic scenarios, etc. Store-and-forward processinghelps to avoid the network congestion problems encountered by FDAprocessing.

One embodiment comprises a text message system for a mobile network. Thetext message system includes a rules database that is operable to storerules defining which text messages are authorized to be delivered usingFDA processing. The text message system further includes a messageprocessor operable to initially receive a text message, and to determinewhether to selectively apply FDA processing for a time period due to anoccurrence of a triggering event. If selective FDA processing applies,then the message processor is further operable to process the rules inthe rules database to determine whether the text message is authorizedfor FDA processing during the time period of selective FDA processing.If the determination is that the text message is authorized, then themessage processor is further operable to forward the text message to anFDA system for FDA processing. If the determination is that the textmessage is not authorized, then the message processor is furtheroperable to forward the text message to a store-and-forward system forstore-and-forward processing.

Other exemplary embodiments may be described below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way ofexample only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The samereference number represents the same element or the same type of elementon all drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile network in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of selectively applying FDAprocessing for a text messages in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an IMS network in an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 4-5 are message diagrams illustrating selective FDA processing inan exemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The figures and the following description illustrate specific exemplaryembodiments of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that thoseskilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that,although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principlesof the invention and are included within the scope of the invention.Furthermore, any examples described herein are intended to aid inunderstanding the principles of the invention, and are to be construedas being without limitation to such specifically recited examples andconditions. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specificembodiments or examples described below, but by the claims and theirequivalents.

FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile network 100 in an exemplary embodiment.Mobile network 100 may comprise a circuit-based network, such as a CDMAnetwork or a GSM network, may comprise a packet-based network, such asan IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, or a mix of the two. Mobilenetwork 100 is able to facilitate the transfer of a text message from asender 110 to a destination 112. Because sender 110 and destination 112may be served by different networks, mobile network 100 may represent an“originating” network for a Mobile Originating (MO) scenario, or mayrepresent a “terminating” network for a Mobile Terminating (MT)scenario.

In this embodiment, mobile network 100 includes a Short Message ServiceCenter (SMSC) 120 and a text message system 124. SMSC 120 includes astore-and-forward system 122, which comprises any system, server,application, or function that implements store-and-forward processing,one example of which is defined in SMS protocol. In store-and-forwardprocessing, when a text message is initially received, the text messageis persistently stored in memory. Delivery of the text message is thenattempted to the destination. If the first delivery attempt isunsuccessful, then delivery is retried after a time period (e.g., 10minutes, 30 minutes, etc). A predefined number of retries are performedbefore the text message is discarded. Although store-and-forward system122 is illustrated as being implemented in SMSC 120, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that it may be implemented in other textmessaging servers that use protocols other than SMS.

Text message system 124 comprises any system, server, or functionoperable to handle text messages. Text message system 124 may be astand-alone system or server, or may be implemented in an SMS router, ina Signaling Transfer Point (STP), or some other network element. Textmessage system 124 may also be implemented in SMSC 120 along withstore-and-forward system 122.

In this embodiment, text message system 124 includes an FDA system 132,a message processor 134, and a rules database 136. FDA system 132comprises any system, server, application, or function operable toimplement FDA processing. In FDA processing, when a text message isinitially received, delivery of the text message is attempted firstbefore storing the text message, such as in the SMSC. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that FDA processing may involve briefly queuingthe text messages for the delivery attempt. However, the text message isnot persistently stored in the SMSC as is done for store-and-forwardprocessing.

Message processor 134 comprises any device, component, system, orapplication operable to selectively apply how FDA processing is appliedin text message system 124. Rules database 136 comprises any storagesystem operable to store any rules, conditions, policies, or other datathat define which text messages are authorized for the FDA processingduring a particular time period. For example, during peak trafficperiods in mobile network 100, the rules stored in rules database 136indicates which text messages (if any) are authorized to be deliveredaccording to FDA processing. Although FDA system 132 is shown as beingpart of text message system 124, those skilled in the art willappreciate that FDA system 132 may be implemented on a completelydifferent platform than message processor 134 and rules database 136.

In FIG. 1, assume that sender 110 sends a text message to mobile network100 that is intended for destination 112. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the text message is encapsulated in a signaling message,such as an SS7 message or a SIP message. Instead of automaticallyapplying FDA processing for the text message, text message system 124 isable to selectively apply FDA processing for a time period. When FDA isselectively applied, message processor 134 makes a determination ofwhether the text message is delivered through FDA processing orstore-and-forward processing based on a predefined set of rules. A moredetailed operation of text message system 124 is illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 of selectively applyingFDA processing for text messages in an exemplary embodiment. The stepsof method 200 will be described with reference to mobile network 100 inFIG. 1, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that method 200 maybe performed in other networks and systems. Also, the steps of the flowchart in FIG. 2 are not all inclusive and may include other steps notshown. The steps may be performed in an alternative order.

In step 202, message processor 134 initially receives the text messagefrom sender 110. Instead of automatically forwarding the text message toFDA system 132 for FDA processing, message processor 134 determineswhether to selectively apply FDA processing in step 204. Selective FDAprocessing means that normal FDA processing is interrupted for a timeperiod, and that a selected set of zero or more text messages will beauthorized for FDA processing. Selective FDA processing is appliedresponsive to a triggering event. Events that trigger selective FDAprocessing may vary depending on the desires of the network operator.

For example, the triggering event may comprise a peak traffic interval(i.e., time of day) being reached. The network operator may identifypeak traffic intervals of text messaging within mobile network 100. Ifthe peak traffic interval is reached, then message processor 134 maytrigger selective FDA processing during this time interval. In anotherexample, the triggering event may comprise a traffic threshold beingexceeded within mobile network 100. If the traffic threshold isexceeded, then message processor 134 may trigger selective FDAprocessing while the traffic exceeds the threshold. In yet anotherexample, the triggering event may comprise a special traffic scenarioexpected to occur within a service area of mobile network 100. Forexample, if the network operator is aware of a fan survey or fan votingfor a television program, then message processor 134 may triggerselective FDA processing during the special traffic scenario. In afurther example, the triggering event may comprise a text messageidentified as spam. If the text is identified as spam, then messageprocessor 134 may trigger selective FDA processing so that the spammessage is filtered. In a further example, the triggering event maycomprise a billing problem for the text message. If the billing problemis identified (e.g., if the source address, destination address, and/orbilling ID do not meet operator chargeable criteria), then messageprocessor 134 may trigger selective FDA processing to defer the textmessage to store-and-forward system 122.

If selective FDA processing applies, then message processor 134processes the rules in rules database 136 to determine whether the textmessage is authorized for FDA processing during the time period ofselective FDA processing in step 206. The rules that authorize FDAprocessing may vary depending on the desires of the network operator.Some examples are provided below.

If the determination in step 206 is that the text message is authorized,then message processor 134 forwards the text message to FDA system 132for FDA processing in step 208. In response to receiving the textmessage, FDA system 132 attempts to deliver the text message todestination 112 first without persistently storing the text message. Ifthe delivery attempt fails, then FDA system 132 may forward the textmessage to store-and-forward system 122 for store-and-forwardprocessing.

If the determination in step 206 is that the text message is notauthorized, then message processor 134 forwards the text message tostore-and-forward system 122 for store-and-forward processing in step210. In response to receiving the text message, store-and-forward system122 persistently stores the text message in memory. Store-and-forwardsystem 122 then attempts to deliver the text message to destination 112.If the first delivery attempt is unsuccessful, then store-and-forwardsystem 122 retries delivery after a time period (e.g., 10 minutes, 30minutes, etc). Store-and-forward system 122 will retry delivery of thetext message a predefined number of times, after which the text messageis discarded.

If the determination in step 204 is that the selective FDA processingdoes not apply, then message processor 134 forwards the text message toFDA system 132 for FDA processing in step 212. Normal FDA processing maythen take place.

Once triggered, message processor 134 continues to apply selective FDAprocessing for other text messages until the time period expires. Thetime period for applying selective FDA processing may vary as a functionof the triggering event. For example, if the triggering event is a peaktraffic interval being reached, then the time period may be set based onhow long the peak traffic interval lasts (e.g., 4 hours). If thetriggering event is a traffic threshold being exceeded, then the timeperiod may last until the traffic in mobile network 100 decreases belowthe traffic threshold. If the triggering event is that the text messagecomprises spam (or is suspected of being spam), then the time period mayonly last as long as it takes to process this spam message. After thetime period for applying selective FDA processing expires, normal FDAprocessing may then take place. Thus, message processor 134 forwardseach of the received text messages to FDA system 132 until another eventoccurs that triggers selective FDA processing.

The selective FDA processing advantageously allows the network operatorto offload some or all text messages from FDA processing tostore-and-forward processing for a time period. Store-and-forwardprocessing helps to avoid the network congestion problems encountered byFDA processing. Thus, in times of high traffic volume within mobilenetwork 100, the network operator can avoid delays in FDA system 132,and ultimately the loss of text messages.

The following lists some exemplary rules that may be used to determinewhether a text message is authorized for FDA processing during the timeperiod of selective FDA processing (see step 206). One rule may comprisea source address rule that indicates one or more source addresses thatare authorized or unauthorized for FDA processing during the time periodof selective FDA processing. For example, if the source address of thetext message is on an authorized list (or white list) of addresses, thenthe text message will be authorized for FDA processing. If the sourceaddress of the text message is on an unauthorized list of addresses (orblack list), then the text message will not be authorized for FDAprocessing and will fail over to store-and-forward processing.

Another rule may comprise a destination address rule that indicates oneor more destination addresses that are authorized or unauthorized forFDA processing during the time period of selective FDA processing. Forexample, if the destination address of the text message is on anauthorized list of addresses, then the text message will be authorizedfor FDA processing. If the destination address of the text message is onan unauthorized list of addresses, then the text message will not beauthorized for FDA processing and will fail over to store-and-forwardprocessing.

Another rule may comprise a failed destination address rule thatindicates particular destinations or destination ranges that have ahistory of failed delivery. For example, if the destination address ofthe text message is on a list addresses that have a history of faileddelivery, then the text message will not be authorized for FDAprocessing and will fail over to store-and-forward processing.

Another rule may comprise a destination point code rule that indicatesone or more destination point codes that are authorized or unauthorizedfor FDA processing during the time period of selective FDA processing.For example, if the destination point code of the text message is on anauthorized list of point codes, then the text message will be authorizedfor FDA processing. If the destination point code of the text message ison an unauthorized list of point codes, then the text message will notbe authorized for FDA processing and will fail over to store-and-forwardprocessing.

Another rule may comprise a roaming rule that specifies that textmessages originated by or destined for a roaming user will not beauthorized for FDA processing and will fail over to store-and-forwardprocessing.

Another rule may comprise a protocol ID rule that indicates whichnetwork protocols are authorized or unauthorized for FDA processingduring the time period of selective FDA processing. For example, therule may specify that text messages for IS41 and GSM protocols areauthorized, but that text messages for GPRS protocol are not authorized.

Another rule may comprise a tele-service rule that indicates whichtele-services are authorized or unauthorized for FDA processing duringthe time period of selective FDA processing. For example, the rule mayspecify that WMI and VMN are authorized, but that page, pass, WAP, andEMS are not authorized.

Another rule may comprise an air-interface rule that indicates whichair-interface protocols are authorized or unauthorized for FDAprocessing during the time period of selective FDA processing. Forexample, the rule may specify that text messages for CDMA and W-CDMAprotocols are authorized, but that text messages for TDMA and GSMprotocols are not authorized.

Another rule may comprise a routing type rule that indicates whichrouting types (e.g., SS7, IP (ESME), dedicated port, etc) are authorizedor unauthorized for FDA processing during the time period of selectiveFDA processing. Another rule may comprise a service type rule thatindicates while service types (e.g., administrative, page, WMI, VMN,Location Based Service (LBS), broadcast, etc) are authorized orunauthorized for FDA processing during the time period of selective FDAprocessing.

Another rule may comprise a billing ID rule that indicates while typesof billing are authorized or unauthorized for FDA processing during thetime period of selective FDA processing. For example, the rule mayspecify that text messages that are prepaid are authorized, but thattext messages that are post paid are not authorized. There may be avariety of other rules that may be defined. Also, multiple rules may beprocessed to authorize a text message. If any of the rules are inconflict, then the network operator may define which rules controlwhether or not the text message is authorized.

Example

FIG. 3 illustrates an IMS network 300 in an exemplary embodiment. Inthis embodiment, IMS network 300 is operable to serve a mobile device310 through a Radio Access Network (RAN) 314, which comprises any radioor wireless network that interfaces a mobile device with a core network.To serve mobile device 310, IMS network 300 includes a Serving-CallSession Control Function (S-CSCF) 318, an SMS application server (AS)320, and a text message system 324. SMS application server 320 isoperable to handle SMS messages. For example, SMS application server 320may represent an SMSC. As part of handling SMS messages, SMS applicationserver 320 includes store-and-forward system 322 that uses SMS protocol.Store-and-forward system 322 is able to deliver SMS messages todestinations using store-and-forward processing, such as delivering anSMS message to mobile device 312 through RAN 316.

Text message system 324 includes an FDA system 332, a message processor334, and a rules database 336. Text message system 324 is programmed touse FDA system 332 to attempt delivery of SMS messages to theirdestination before forwarding the SMS messages to SMS AS 320. FDA system332 is able to deliver SMS messages to destinations using FDAprocessing, such as delivering an SMS message to mobile device 312through RAN 316. Text message system 324 is also programmed to applyselective FDA processing responsive to a triggering event, some of whichwere described above. Assume for this example that the network operatorof IMS network 300 has defined a peak traffic interval in IMS network300 where SMS message traffic is normally high. When this peak trafficinterval is reached, text message system 324 will trigger selective FDAprocessing.

Assume further for this example that a user of mobile device 310initiates an SMS message to a user of mobile device 312. Mobile device310 encapsulates the SMS message in a SIP MESSAGE, and sends the SIPMESSAGE to S-CSCF 318. S-CSCF 318 processes the SIP MESSAGE anddetermines that it includes an SMS message. Thus, S-CSCF 318 forwardsthe SIP MESSAGE to text message system 324.

FIGS. 4-5 are message diagrams illustrating selective FDA processing inan exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 4, message processor 334 receives theSIP MESSAGE that includes the SMS message. Instead of automaticallyforwarding the SMS message to FDA system 332 for FDA processing, messageprocessor 334 determines whether selective FDA processing applies. Inthis case, the peak time interval has been reached, so selective FDAprocessing is triggered. Thus, message processor 334 processes the rules(in rules database 336 of FIG. 3) to determine whether the SMS messageis authorized for FDA processing. If the determination is that the SMSmessage is authorized, then message processor 334 forwards the SMSmessage to FDA system 332 for FDA processing. In response to receivingthe SMS message, FDA system 332 attempts to deliver the SMS message toits destination first without persistently storing the SMS message bysending the SIP MESSAGE to mobile device 312 (through S-CSCF 318 in FIG.3). If the delivery attempt fails, then FDA system 332 may forward theSMS message to SMS application server 320 for store-and-forwardprocessing.

In the example of FIG. 4, the SMS message was authorized for FDAprocessing, so FDA system 332 attempted to deliver the message. When theSMS message is not authorized for FDA processing, the SMS message issent to SMS AS 320 for store-and-forward processing, which isillustrated in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 5, message processor 334 again receives the SIP MESSAGE thatincludes the SMS message. Instead of automatically forwarding the SMSmessage to FDA system 332 for FDA processing, message processor 334determines whether selective FDA processing applies. In this case, thepeak time interval has been reached, so selective FDA processing istriggered. Thus, message processor 334 processes the rules (in rulesdatabase 336 of FIG. 3) to determine whether the SMS message isauthorized for FDA processing. If the determination is that the SMSmessage is not authorized, then message processor 334 forwards the SMSmessage to store-and-forward (SFD) system 322 for store-and-forwardprocessing. In response to receiving the SMS message, store-and-forwardsystem 322 persistently stores the SMS message in memory.Store-and-forward system 322 then attempts to deliver the SMS message toits destination by sending the SIP MESSAGE to mobile device 312 (throughS-CSCF 318 in FIG. 3).

In the example of FIG. 5, the SMS message is offloaded tostore-and-forward system 322 for processing instead of FDA system 332.During this peak time interval of high traffic, store-and-forward system322 may be better able to handle the SMS message instead of FDA system332. Thus, the SMS message has a higher likelihood of being successfullydelivered to mobile device 312.

Any of the various elements shown in the figures or described herein maybe implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or some combination ofthese. For example, an element may be implemented as dedicated hardware.Dedicated hardware elements may be referred to as “processors”,“controllers”, or some similar terminology. When provided by aprocessor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicatedprocessor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individualprocessors, some of which may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of theterm “processor” or “controller” should not be construed to referexclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and mayimplicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP)hardware, a network processor, application specific integrated circuit(ASIC) or other circuitry, field programmable gate array (FPGA), readonly memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), nonvolatile storage, logic, or some other physical hardware component ormodule.

Also, an element may be implemented as instructions executable by aprocessor or a computer to perform the functions of the element. Someexamples of instructions are software, program code, and firmware. Theinstructions are operational when executed by the processor to directthe processor to perform the functions of the element. The instructionsmay be stored on storage devices that are readable by the processor.Some examples of the storage devices are digital or solid-statememories, magnetic storage media such as a magnetic disks and magnetictapes, hard drives, or optically readable digital data storage media.

Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope of theinvention is not limited to those specific embodiments. The scope of theinvention is defined by the following claims and any equivalentsthereof.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a text message system configuredto determine, when a network condition has existed within a precedinglength of time of receipt of a text message, whether or not the textmessage is authorized for first delivery attempt (FDA) processing; thetext message system is configured to forward the text message to astore-and-forward (SFD) system for SFD processing only when the textmessage is not authorized for FDA processing.
 2. The apparatus of claim1 wherein: the text message system is configured to forward the textmessage to an FDA system for FDA processing when the text message isauthorized for FDA processing.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: thetext message system is configured to determine whether or not the textmessage is authorized for FDA processing based on a source address forthe text message.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the text messagesystem is configured to determine whether or not the text message isauthorized for FDA processing based on a destination address for thetext message.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the text messagesystem is configured to determine whether or not the text message isauthorized for FDA processing based on whether a party to the textmessage is roaming.
 6. A method operable in a text message system, themethod comprising: detecting, in the text message system, that a networkcondition has existed within a preceding length of time of receipt of atext message; determining whether or not the text message is authorizedfor first delivery attempt (FDA) processing; and forwarding the textmessage to a store-and-forward (SFD) system for SFD processing only whenthe text message is not authorized for FDA processing.
 7. The method ofclaim 6 further comprising: forwarding the text message to an FDA systemfor FDA processing when the text message is authorized for FDAprocessing.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein determining whether or notthe text message is authorized for FDA processing comprises: determiningwhether or not the text message is authorized for FDA processing basedon a source address for the text message.
 9. The method of claim 6wherein determining whether or not the text message is authorized forFDA processing comprises: determining whether or not the text message isauthorized for FDA processing based on a destination address for thetext message.
 10. The method of claim 6 wherein determining whether ornot the text message is authorized for FDA processing comprises:determining whether or not the text message is authorized for FDAprocessing based on whether a party to the text message is roaming. 11.A text messaging apparatus for use in a wireless system, the apparatuscomprising: means for determining, when a network condition has existedwithin a preceding length of time of receipt of a text message, whetheror not the text message is authorized for first delivery attempt (FDA)processing; and means for forwarding the text message for processing toa text message delivery system, wherein the text message delivery systemcomprises a store-and-forward (SFD) system only when the means fordetermining determines that the text message is not authorized for firstdelivery attempt (FDA) processing.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 furthercomprising: means for forwarding the text message to an FDA system forFDA processing when the text message is authorized for FDA processing.13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: the network condition comprises apeak traffic interval within the wireless system.
 14. An apparatuscomprising: a text message system for a mobile network that isconfigured to apply automatic first delivery attempt (FDA) processingfor delivering text messages; the text message system is configured todetect an event that interrupts the automatic FDA processing andtriggers selective FDA processing for a time period; during the timeperiod of selective FDA processing, the text message system isconfigured to receive a text message, to determine whether FDAprocessing is authorized for the text message during the time period ofselective FDA processing, to apply FDA processing for the text messageresponsive to a determination that the text message is authorized forFDA processing, and to apply store-and-forward (SFD) processing for thetext message responsive to a determination that the text message is notauthorized for FDA processing.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein:after the time period of selective FDA processing expires, the textmessage system is configured to apply the automatic FDA processing forsubsequent text messages.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: thetime period for applying selective FDA processing is a function of theevent that triggers the selective FDA processing within the text messagesystem.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the text message systemis configured to determine whether FDA processing is authorized for thetext message based on a source address rule that indicates at least onesource address that is authorized for FDA processing during the timeperiod of selective FDA processing.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14wherein: the text message system is configured to determine whether FDAprocessing is authorized for the text message based on a destinationaddress rule that indicates at least one destination address that isauthorized for FDA processing during the time period of selective FDAprocessing.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the text messagesystem is configured to determine whether FDA processing is authorizedfor the text message based on a roaming rule which specifies thatroaming users are not authorized for FDA processing during the timeperiod of selective FDA processing.
 20. The apparatus of claim 14wherein: the event that triggers selective FDA processing comprises apeak traffic interval within the mobile network.